Realtor Group Agrees to $418M Settlement Over Commission Rules to Increase Housing Affordability

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to a $418 million settlement over antitrust lawsuits, eliminating rules on commissions that critics said drove housing prices higher.

The settlement ends requirements that home sellers include brokers' compensation in listings and that brokers subscribe to NAR's multiple listing services.

Experts estimate real estate commissions could fall 25-50%, opening up opportunities for alternative brokerage models with lower fees.

The agreement follows a $1.8 billion antitrust verdict against NAR in November 2022 that the group had pledged to appeal before settling.

The settlement represents the biggest change to the housing market in a century and could lead many brokers to leave the industry, while top brokers gain more business.